Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry
Exercise 5.1
Q.1. True or false. Give a reason for your answer.
i) Only one line can pass through a single point.
Solution: False, because through a single point, an infinite number of lines can pass.
ii) There are an infinite number of lines which pass through two distinct points.
Solution: False. This contradicts the Axiom. (Given two distinct points, there is a unique line
that passes through them.)
iii) A terminated line can be produced indefinitely on both sides.
Solution: True by Euclid’s second Postulate.
iv) If two circles are equal, then their radii are equal.
Solution : True, because radii of two equal circles are equals. If we superimpose the region
bounded by one circle the other, then they coincide. So, their centers and boundaries coincide
therefore their radii will coincide.
v) In figure, if AB=PQ and PQ=XY, then AB=XY.
Solution : True by the first Axiom of Euclid.
i) Parallel lines :
Parallel lines are lines which do not intersect at any point.
We need to define first -
• A line is breadthless length.
• A point is that which has no part.
• Intersect means a common point.
ii) Perpendicular lines:
Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect at 90 °.
We need to define first – l
• A line is breadthless length.
• Intersect means a common point.
• 90 ° means a right angle.
m
iii) Line segment :
A line segment is a part of line having a starting and ending point.
We need to define first –
• A line is breadthless length.
• A point is that which has no part.
A B
iv) Radius of a circle :
The radius of a circle is a line segment from the center of the circle to any point on the
circle.
We need to define first –
• A circle is a shape consisting of all points in a plane that are at a fixed distance
from a given point , called the centre.
• Centre is a point where distance to circle is fixed.
• A line segment is a part of line having a starting and ending point.
• A point is that which has no part.
AAAAA
v) Square:
A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides and all four angles are 90 degrees
each.
We need to define first –
• A quadrilateral is a closed figure having four sides.
• 90 degrees means a right angle.
• Solution: Yes, the undefined terms are –
• Line - A line is breadthless length.
• Point - A point is that which has no part.
• Plane - A plane surface is a surface which lies evenly with the straight lines on itself.
Postulates are said to be consistent if they do not contradict each other.
Let’s check the consistency of the given postulates:
1. The first postulate states that given any two distinct points A and B, there exists a
point C between A and B. This implies that points can be ordered and can form a line
segment.
2. The second postulate states that there exists at least three points that are not colinear.
This ensures that a plane exists, as three non-colinear points define a plane.
Therefore, these two postulates do not contradict each other.
Relationship with Euclid’s postulates:
1. Given two distinct points A and B, we can draw a line segment joining them (Euclid’s
first postulate). According to the properties of a line segment, we can always find a
point C on the segment AB such that C is between A and B. This follows from the
concept of betweenness in Euclidean geometry.
2. Postulate 2 helps us to understand that a flat surface (plane) needs at least three points
that aren’t in a straight line. While Euclid didn’t state this directly, it is a fundamental
idea in his geometry.
• Solution:
• Given: AC=BC
Adding AC both sides, we know that If equals are added to equals , the whole are
equal. (Axiom 2)
AC+AC=BC+AC
2AC=AB
A C
1 B
AC= AB
2
Hence proved.
Solution: We will prove this by contradiction. Let’s consider line segment AB.
1
• Suppose C is a mid-point of AB, this means AC= 2 (AB)
• Also suppose there is another point D which is also a midpoint of AB, this means
1
AD= 2 (AB)
By the above two points we can say that AD = AC because things are equal to
same thing are equal in itself. (Axiom 1)
Since AC=AD, it implies C and D are same points.
It contradicts our assumption. Therefore, every line segment has only one mid-
point.
Solution:
If AC=BD
Subtracting BC both sides
(From Axiom 3 – If equals are subtracted from equals, the remainders are equal.)
AC – BC = BD - BC
AB = CD
Hence proved.
Solution - This Axiom 5 is known as ‘universal truth’ because it holds true in any field
and not just in the field of mathematics.
